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Lesson OneRomans: Paul's Theological Magnum Opus5 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TwoPhilemon-Ephesians: Four Letters of Joy From an Imprisoned Apostle5 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson ThreeArchaeology and the New Testament5 Activities1 Assessment
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Course Wrap-UpCourse Completion1 Activity1 Assessment
Participants 91
Discussion Questions
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In his letter to the Romans, how does Paul justify that the Jewish people should accept Christ?
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21 Replies
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We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That’s why we all need Jesus.
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All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That means Jew, Gentile, slave or free. We all have sinned and have need of a Savior to justify us before our Holy and righteous God.
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I
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The Jewish people treated the law as a means of works rather than a relationship through faith. It is now their choice to accept Christ and his free gift.
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Paul argues that, although Jews have the moral law of God in written form, they do not consistently or perfectly live up to it (Rom 2:1-11), and circumcision does not save them (Rom 2:25-27). They also stand guilty before God and need a Saviour.
He argues that even their forefather Abraham was justified by faith, not works (Rom chapter 4). So why would they be exempt from this condition to be saved by faith?
Furthermore, the Jews, like all men, are descended from the first Adam, so that sin and death reign in them too (Romans chapter 5). The Jews need a Saviour too in the person of the last Adam.
The law that the Jews possess only makes sin more evident, therefore more attractive (Rom 7:7-12) to them. The law meant to bring life actually brought death! Therefore the Jews need to be saved.
Finally, Paul argues that God has not put the Jews aside when He offers salvation to the Gentiles in this new covenant (Rom chapters 9-11). God’s intention is that a remnant of Israel will be saved in the end times. This is also why Jews should come to accept Christ in fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel.
#Romans
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Jews are obedient to the Law and Paul gives them the undanding that Jesus is God and master. He also discusses how our obedience to Him comes above obedience to other human authorities.
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What similarities and differences does Paul point out between Adam and Jesus Christ? (Recall Romans 5:12-21.) What is the significance of these observations?
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25 Replies
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Similarities: both men, affected the entire human race Differences: Adam-original sin and Jesus-atoning death; Adam’s action led to sin and Jesus’ action leads to salvation; Adam had one sin and Jesus carried all sins
The significance: no matter where we’re at in life, who we are, or what we’ve done—we all need JESUS for salvation and redemption.
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First man Adam caused sin to enter in us, the last man Jesus Christ who knew no sin, sacrificed His life to redeem us from sin and death, etc.
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Both were individual men, with one particular action that would influence those that would follow. However, Adam’s action led to sin, whereas Christ’s action led to salvation. Adam’s action was one sin, but ours are many. We are all heirs of Adam, punishable by death, but through Christ have a choice of eternal life through the acceptance of salvation.
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Similarities: Adam and Jesus are individuals in human history. Both acted in ways that drastically affected the course of mankind. In fact, one action from each was sufficient to bring about irreversible change – Adam’s sin plunged mankind into sin; Jesus’ atoning death opened an escape for mankind out of sin.
Differences: Adam’s action had deadly consequences for mankind; Jesus’ action had life-giving consequences. Adam’s action involved one sin; Jesus’ atonement catered for all sins of all men at all times. Not of humanity automatically inherited the consequences of Adam’s sin, i.e. condemnation and death. But men are not automatically saved through Jesus – each man has to choose to receive the free gift of eternal life offered to him.
#Romans
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The similarities between Adam and Jesus Christ are that they were both individual men whose actions affected a whole race of people and had one act that was key to their stories. The difference between them are that Adam’s action brought about sin and Jesus’ action brought about salvation. The one sin of Adam caused sin to enter the world, but Jesus died on the cross for the sins of many. The act of Adam brought about condemnation, but the act of Jesus brought about salvation. These differences are significant because some refer to Jesus as the second Adam.